When it comes to classic ‘80s adventure movies,Big Trouble in Little Chinaholds a place in many top ten lists. Therefore, it is one movie that constantly comes up in conversations about which movies canbenefit from being given a legacy sequel, and one person who would be on board with that if the right script came up is starKurt Russell.
Big Trouble in Little China
Russell is currently starring alongside his real-life son Wyatt Russell in Apple TV+ seriesMonarch: Legacy of Monsters.In a recent conversation withComicBook.com, the actor was asked whether he would consider reprising his role as Jack Burton, the rugged protagonist of John Carpenter’s 1986 cult classic. It seems that as far as Russell is concerned, he would be more than willing to do it, but only if the script was up to it. He said:
“Ya never say never. If somebody were to write a great script that was better than the first one, it had something new to say, I don’t know. We could slap John Carpenter around a bit and say, ‘Come on, John, let’s go do this.”
Whether such a script will ever come along is questionable, and for his part, Carpenter has previously spoken about the potential forBig Trouble in Little Chinato be revived in some form, but not necessarily as a movie. In a previous interview, the director said:
“I don’t know. I think, maybe. Big Trouble in Little China, it seems to me would be a fun video game and kick ass.”
Related:A Look At Big Trouble in Little China’s Lasting Influence on Pop Culture
Big Trouble in Little China Could Still Get a Sequel
John Carpenteris best known for being the creator of horror movies such asThe ThingandHalloween, but he has dabbled in many genres. Having originally made movies that leaned more into sci-fi than horror,Big Trouble in Little Chinasaw Carpenter blending together several genres, including supernatural horror, action-adventure and comedy, to create a movie that fit many molds.
The film stars Kurt Russell as Jack Burton, a truck driver who gets caught up in a supernatural power struggle in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Like many movies of the era,Big Trouble in Little Chinahas grown to becomethe definition of a cult classicover the last four decades, despite being a commercial failure on its initial release. That in itself creates a huge challenge for anyone attempting to create a belated follow-up. Despite having a strong following, any sequel would need to bring the same unique combination of styles together in a way that, as Russell said, delivers something new but also upholds the legacy of the original movie. Is that possible? The odds would suggest not, but we have seenmany recent legacy sequelsdelivering good things decades after the franchise seemed to be at an end.
WillBig Trouble in Little Chinabe the next ‘80s franchise to make a leap into the 21st century? Or should it be left as a unique entry of ‘80s pop culture? For the moment, fans will have to settle on re-watching the original movie, which can currently be found on several streaming platforms, including Apple TV+ and Disney+. And if you’re a fan of the film, check out this video essay with fun facts:
